"The Re:Sound webinar was an excellent introduction to a difficult topic. Kudos, to the CAPACOA team for the results of their negotiations."

Al Cushing, Yukon Arts Centre

History

For many years Canadian composers and authors have received royalties from the broadcast and public performance of their compositions. These royalties are collected by SOCAN. In 1997 the Copyright Act of Canada was amended to acknowledge the essential contribution of artists (including feature performers, background musicians, etc.) and record companies in the creation of recorded music, and to add a right to equitable remuneration for artists and record companies, which is in line with similar rights in the rest of the world. This right to equitable remuneration is sometimes also called a "neighbouring right".

Created in 1997 (originally as NRCC), Re:Sound is the Canadian not-for-profit music licensing company mandated by its members to license recorded music for public performance, broadcast and new media.

Tariff 3 (Background music) was one of the first tariffs certified by the Copyright Board of Canada to Re:Sound in 2006. In 2008, Re:Sound submitted a series of live event tariffs to the Copyright Board. Tariffs 5.A-G (Use of Recorded Music to Accompany Live Events, 2008-2012) were certified in May 2012 and became payable by performing arts organizations back to 2008.In summer and fall 2012, when Re:Sound started collecting royalties under these tariffs, many performing arts organizations were unprepared and turned to CAPACOA for advice and support. In response, CAPACOA agreed with Re:Sound that all member communication would be channelled through CAPACOA until further negotiations had taken place.

In the same year, Re:Sound filed these tariffs for renewal and submitted new tariffs for certification to the Copyright Board. However, the royalty rates for these tariffs were considered too high and several provisions seemed unfair to CAPACOA members. CAPACOA therefore joined a group of performing arts organizations to file an objection to the Copyright Board on proposed tariffs 3, 5 (parts A, D, E, I and J) and 6.A.

In May 2013, CAPACOA renewed its efforts with the assistance of attorney Mark Hayes. In August, CAPACOA submitted a series of observations and proposals to Re:Sound, including a request to reduce the number of tariffs and new wording for Tariff 5.A to account for all use of recorded music as part of a live performance. Re:Sound responded in late December 2013, indicating that they were in agreement with several of our recommendations and provided reassurance they would not move forward with their proposed fee increases.

This settlement agreement resolves most of the issues that CAPACOA and other objectors initially raised in 2012 and 2013. There remains a few outstanding issues that couldn't be resolved because of prior agreements between Re:Sound and other objectors. Among other issues, further tariff consolidation will be sought in 2015. The constructive relationship between CAPACOA and Re:Sound will certainly be an asset for this next chapter.